Power Link Utilities Life Safety Rules
Updated: Sep 23
Safety Starts With Every Employee
These Life Safety Rules establish critical expectations for working safely around vehicles, equipment, energized systems, overhead lines, excavation, and elevated work. Every employee is responsible for understanding and following these requirements at all times.
1. Distracted & Safe Driving
Stay focused. Stay buckled. Get home safely.
Always wear a seat belt while operating or riding in a vehicle.
Do not engage in activities that divert attention from safe vehicle operation.
Do not willfully engage in severe or heavy speeding while operating a motor vehicle.
2. Energy Control
Control the energy before you control the equipment.
Never remove machine guards or cross a barrier without proper authorization.
Never remove an isolation or hold tag without specific authorization to proceed.
Never operate a device in violation of a clearance or operating order if doing so could compromise another person's safety.
3. Line of Fire
Stay out of the danger zone.
Never:
Enter a drop zone.
Stand underneath or near a suspended load.
Work underneath aerial work being performed.
Place yourself "in the bite" of a struck-by or caught-in hazard.
4. Fall Protection
100% protection when working at elevation.
Use an approved device that provides 100% fall protection when climbing or working aloft.
Fall protection is required when working from a bucket truck, on poles, towers, and other elevated positions.
5. Work on or Near Overhead Lines
Know the distance. Respect the distance.
Understand and follow all Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) requirements.
Maintain the required clearance from energized overhead lines and equipment.
When in doubt, stop work and verify the required clearance.
6. Utility One Calls
Call 811 before you dig.
Do not begin excavation without a valid 811 "Call Before You Dig" ticket with a positive response.
Know and follow your state's requirements for excavation.
Follow all applicable state laws and processes before digging.
7. Barricading & Grounding
Control the work area around energized systems.
Aerial devices, derricks, and other required equipment that may enter the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) while operating in primary-voltage areas must be properly barricaded and/or grounded.
Do not enter a barricaded area.
Do not contact equipment that is within the barricaded area.
8. Rubber Gloves & Sleeves
Use the right electrical protection.
Use properly rated insulated protective equipment whenever there is a risk of electrical contact or arc flash.
Ensure required rubber gloves and sleeves are appropriate for the work being performed.
9. Qualified Observer
Have the right person watching the work.
A Qualified Observer is required when working on or within the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) of:
Overhead distribution lines, or
Equipment energized above 1,000 volts.
10. Cover-Up
Protect against accidental contact.
Cover-up is required when working on or near exposed energized lines and equipment.
Use appropriate protective cover-up to prevent inadvertent contact with energized components.
11. Isolate
Treat every line and piece of equipment as energized until proven otherwise.
All lines and equipment shall be treated as energized until they have been:
De-energized
Tested
Grounded
Never assume equipment or lines are safe simply because they are expected to be de-energized.
STOP • THINK • WORK SAFE
If a condition is unsafe or unclear:
STOP WORK.
Verify the proper procedure, authorization, clearance, protective equipment, and safe work conditions before proceeding.
Safety is everyone's responsibility.
Know the rules. Follow the rules. Go home safe.
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